Rollable Flexible Display Layer Structure for Strength and Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible displays in electronic devices face limitations in securing flexibility and strength due to uniform layer thickness, especially in variable parts that deform between curved and flat surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates layers with varying structures, such as thicknesses, densities, or shapes, in the variable and invariable parts of the flexible display to enhance strength and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the flexible display has uniform layer thickness, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the flexibility and strength are compromised in variable parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddisplay strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making at least one layer have different thicknesses in different regions: a first thickness in the variable part and a second thickness in the invariable part. This allows the variable part to have greater flexibility for deformation while the invariable part maintains structural strength, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and display strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the flexible display has uniform layer thickness, then the structure is simple, but the flexibility for deformation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoiddeformation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by varying the thickness of at least one layer between the variable part and invariable part. The variable part with different thickness characteristics enables curved and flat deformation, while maintaining overall structural simplicity through a layered construction approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the flexible display has uniform layer thickness, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the deformation capability is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoiddeformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality principles: at least one layer has a first thickness in the variable part and a second thickness in the invariable part. This localized thickness variation enables the variable part to deform into curved and flat surfaces while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a systematic layered approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4216023B1Electronic apparatus comprising flexible display
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4216023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4216023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4216023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a first structure, a second structure coupled to one side of the first structure to slide in both directions, and a display including a plurality of layers, and a size of an exposed region of the display that forms a front surface of the electronic device is changed in response to a sliding operation of the second structure. The display includes a base part that forms the front surface of the electronic device and maintains a shape when the second structure slides and a rollable part that extends from the base part and that is deformed to be flat or curved depending on the sliding operation of the second structure. The plurality of layers include a panel layer, a reinforcement layer disposed on one surface of the panel layer, and a cover layer disposed on one surface of the reinforcement layer to face the panel layer with the reinforcement layer therebetween. The cover layer includes a first portion included in the base part of the display and a second portion included in the rollable part of the display when a section of the display is viewed. The first portion and the second portion are different from each other in terms of at least one of a structure, a shape, or a property.